Building Global Healthy Environments

Between 2007 and 2011, 21 communities in 15 states received a Building Healthy Communities for Active Aging award. The award was initiated to spur towns, cities, and regional agencies to implement principles of smart growth and active aging.   To better understand the effectiveness of integrating smart growth and active aging at the community level, a select group of the award winners responded to a questionnaire. Communities were asked about the biggest challenges they faced in creating a healthy community for active aging and how they measured success.  While responses varied widely due to community diversity, one common theme emerged-- while the award primarily focused on improving the health and well-being of older adults, the entire community that benefited from these design, program, and policy changes.

The policy implications of the changes these communities achieved are promising. While it takes time to make long-lasting policy changes in the design of a community and in adopting an active lifestyle, other, smaller changes can be made that immediately affect older adults. For example, affordable housing options, improved sidewalks and streets, and community-wide active aging programs all contribute to improving the health and well-being of older adults from the first day they are implemented. Not only do these changes help to support older residents, they are beneficial to persons of all ages and abilities.  The programs and policies highlighted in this paper suggest promising directions communities can take to address the changing needs of their older residents. Future research is needed, however, to analyze the impact smart growth has on the lives of older adults. The policies highlighted in this paper suggest promising directions communities can take to address the needs of changing needs of their residents. Future research is needed, however, to analyze the impact smart growth on the lives of elders.